The box's ribbon was black and silver, tied with meticulous care, and adorned with delicate ivory flowers.
"I only hope Her Highness, the Second Princess, won't find my humble gift lacking," Astra said softly, her voice calm and poised.
Curtis smiled slightly. "How could she possibly dislike a gift from Your Highness?"
He leaned toward Rosalia, patting her small head gently.
"Come, Rosa. Let's see what your elder sister has brought you."
With a subtle gesture, one of the palace maids stepped forward and took the box from Gerald. She carried it with careful hands before Rosalia.
The little princess's green eyes grew wide with curiosity as she began to unwrap the layers of ribbon and silk.
As the lid lifted and the soft silken paper inside unfolded, a gentle gasp escaped her lips.
"WOW!!" she exclaimed, her voice bright and innocent, eyes sparkling like a child seeing magic for the first time.
Nestled within the velvet-lined box was a delicate crystal music box, shaped like a miniature castle.
Its spires shimmered in soft pastel hues under the chandelier light, and tiny enchanted figures of animals– rabbits, deer, birds, circled around the palace when the mechanism was wound.
Beside it, tucked gently into a corner of the box, lay a bracelet of silver and moonstone, woven with fine white-gold strands.
At the center sat a small blue opal, glowing faintly with a calming effect, a protective spell crafted for peaceful dreams.
Rosalia's eyes grew wide with awe. Her small hands hovered gently over the music box as it began to play a soft, lullaby-like melody.
The room fell silent, the enchanting melody captivating even the most composed adults.
"Woah… It's so beautiful!" Rosalia whispered, her eyes shining.
She turned toward Astra, awe and wonder in her gaze. "Did you really pick this for me?"
Astra offered a quiet, polite smile.
"I wasn't sure what the Second Princess liked," she said softly. "So I chose something I thought might suit her. I hope she will like it."
Curtis's brow lifted slightly in surprise, though he quickly regained composure.
"That's a wonderful gift, Your Highness," he said warmly. "Rosa, say thank you to your elder sister."
"Thank you, Sister!" Rosalia replied, her voice bright and earnest.
Astra gave a slight nod, her smile soft and fleeting, like morning mist that disappears before it settles.
"I'm glad you like it," she said simply.
A quiet murmur ran through the room. Some nobles exchanged surprised glances.
Hadn't they heard the First Princess was rude, arrogant, and unloved?
Yet here she was, composed, gracious, and unshakable, even in front of the Empress herself.
All eyes subtly shifted to Empress Florina, curious how she would respond now that the princess had so effortlessly shifted the atmosphere.
Empress Florina took a slow sip of her champagne, her smile poised but strained, her eyes unreadable.
"It seems the First Princess has a talent for drawing attention," she said lightly, the sharp undertone slicing through the hall like a hidden blade.
Astra tilted her head slightly toward her mother, unbothered, the faintest glimmer of amusement lighting her ocean-blue eyes.
"If showing sincerity is considered drawing attention… then I suppose I must be quite talented," she replied, voice soft but pointed.
There was a hidden meaning behind her words—an unspoken reminder to the Empress of a time long past, when she had sincerely begged for her mother's love, endlessly chasing after her affection.
Yet no matter how earnestly she reached out, the Empress never once looked her way.
The nobles held their breath.
Curtis glanced between mother and daughter but said nothing.
The Empress did not respond, simply turning her head away, her expression carefully neutral.
Astra excused herself with composed grace, stepping aside, yet remaining close enough to observe.
She needed a moment, there was something she had to confirm.
One by one, nobles and dignitaries approached to present their gifts. Murmurs filled the hall, polite but charged with curiosity.
Jewels, rare artifacts, and treasures of unparalleled craftsmanship were laid before the Second Princess, each more lavish than the last.
Then the air subtly shifted as Grand Duke Darian Rochester stepped forward, followed closely by Edrick. Eyes followed them instinctively.
Rosalia's gaze caught sight of Edrick, and for a moment, a strange, fleeting light flickered in her emerald eyes—an unfamiliar spark of emotion, deep and intense.
Astra noticed the subtle change and allowed a slight, knowing smile to cross her lips as if finally got the answer to her question.
The Grand Duke bowed gracefully before presenting the gift. It was an exquisite necklace set known as "The Star of Seraphiel" — a rare masterpiece crafted centuries ago by the royal jewelers of Cristiane.
Crafted from rare sapphires mined from the distant northern part of the empire, the necklace sparkled with a brilliance that seemed almost otherworldly.
The pendant, a brilliant star-shaped sapphire surrounded by delicately woven silver filigree, was said to possess not only immense monetary value but also a protective magic.
A low murmur swept through the crowd. Such a treasure was rarely seen outside the highest echelons of nobility.
After the presentation, the Grand Duke and Edrick gracefully stepped back, their posture as poised as ever.
No sooner had they retreated than Rosalia, her face lit up with admiration.
"He's so… pretty," she whispered, though her words carried just enough for others to hear.
Empress Florina's smile turned indulgent as she leaned closer to her daughter.
"Do you like him, Rosa?"
Rosalia nodded eagerly. "Hmm."
Astra listened silently, then spoke with calm authority, her voice carrying just enough to reach the mother and daughter alike:
"Yes, he is pretty and it's natural to like him," she said, looking at Rosalia calmly, "But I advise you to see him only as a soon to be brother-in-law."
Curtis inclined his head, voice measured. "Rosa is still young and naive. I trust Your Highness will understand."
"I understand," Astra said quietly, eyes distant, as if tracing her own past. "She is still young, so she should learn from now that there are always things you can't have, no matter how pretty they are or how badly you want them."
"That way," she added, "she won't face unnecessary troubles or regret in the near future."
She said it while looking at the Empress, her gaze distant, as if she were contemplating her own past, speaking not just to Rosalia, but to herself.
With a graceful bow, Astra excused herself and walked toward Edrick, her demeanor composed and purposeful.
Rosalia's fingers twitched, clutching the hem of her dress as Astra's words sank in. Quickly, she composured herself and a veil of sadness touched her features.
In a soft, disappointed voice, she murmured: "So... he's my sister's future husband. Sorry, I didn't know."
Empress Florina waved Astra's remark away with a practiced flick of her hand, her tone sharp yet pampering.
"Ignore that insignificant girl. It's your birthday, Rosa. Just enjoy yourself. You don't need to pay attention to her words."
Rosalia nodded obediently. "Yes, Mommy."
Rosalia's gaze lingered on Astra's retreating figure. Something unrecognizable flickered deep within her eyes.